BRING BACK THE DRESS CODE

When Scott McBee and I returned from Portugal the New York Season was already in full swing, so we wasted no time securing our tickets to Puccini’s Chinoiserie confection, Turandot. It’s one of the remaining productions designed by Franco Zeffirelli, and as expected it was an absolute dream!

Going to the opera is a special thing; musicians, and all the staff at the MET are dressed in formal attire. Which begs the question: why should’t all the patrons and attendees be dressed in anything less? Mcbee and I dressed in black tie of course, but we were appalled to see that less than 10% of the men atteneding wore black tie (women on the whole, were dressed quite nicely – thank you ladies). We’ve ranted about this in the past (see: Dress Code Please) It was all jeans, shorts etc., that time — as if folks were going to the local cineplex. We just can’t say it enough — this is simply unacceptable — the Met should have higher standards, and this should apply to all of the performing arts venues, as well as fine restaurants!

(detail) James Andrew at the Met

I’ve been accused of being an elitist, but we’re not talking about some sort of slavish adherence to traditions of the past. Our point is more about dressing appropriately to celebrate an elevated event, and having enough respect for ourselves and others to make some modicum of effort! Furthermore. as you know, we here at WIJW are even open to interesting variations on the theme. At the opening gala for example, we were rather taken by Miguel Angel Guzman and his ravishing ensemble: an elegant interpretation of the Kimono – it was perfectly appropriate AND alternative. Bravo!

There was a lovely young lady dressed in a vintage 1950’s ensemble — also quite stunning. It doesn’t have to be Tom Ford to be fabulous. In any case, I really do wish the Met would get on board with this, and start to require guests to dress appropriately.

17 Comments

Bravo! I couldn’t agree more. Recently, I attended a formal event and was shocked by the attire most opted for. Both sexes attended looking as of they were out and about running errands, or at home depot and suddenly remembered they were to be at the event, left their shopping carts and rushed over. People who don’t feel it respectful, if not necessary, to dress accordingly, should be ejected from the venue! It’s quite simple actually. If one doesn’t want to dress for the occasion, don’t attend.

I could not agree more. I think the patrons should be at least as well dressed as the performers.
Most people look like they are going to the beach it is just not correct unless they are going to the beach.
Even if not black tie at least a nice suit and lovely tie.
The performers go to a lot of work to prepare the least we can do is take the time to dress to show we appreciate their efforts.

Athletic shoes, flip flops, gross sweatshirts….baggy shorts; cargo pants (the person who invented those needs to go to trial); People today dress as though they live in “Inner Slobbovia”; or “Outer Slobbovia”; and it is a really sad thing. (google “AlCapp” if you would like to see those to countries….or just google their names…..you will recognize immediately where we live!

Thank God you show the buttonholes! Good grief! Why have them if they don’t really open!!!??!!

We are dinosaurs……oh I hope not! Let’s go back to buttonholes that really open!

Those fake ones where there is stitching around them…with buttons sewn on top of the fake holes remind me of shutters…..fake ones; nailed up on the sides of windows! No hinges, no shutter dogs….and worst of all……they are not big enough to even cover the windows if they worked at all!

I call them “falsies”!! And I would like to remove them! Fake shutters are much worse than no shutters at all!

I agree but, unfortunately once they did away with the dress code in school, it was all down hill from there. (when I was at school the dress code was in place – proper slacks , shirts (tie optional), and shoes for guys, dresses or skirt and blouse for girls (no more than 1″ above the knee), no jeans, sneakers,t-shirts (or polo shirts), extreme hair styles, make-up , etc.) . Recently walking down 6th. Ave., I realized that there was not a suit to be seen and I won’t even describe the “get-ups” on most women. If dress codes are reinstated in the schools and workplace then maybe, things could change but,….I doubt it. Very sad.

Insanely gorgeous. I would have jettisoned my shyness to at least stand next to you and admire the luscious suit, and stunning details (appreciated by only people who recall dress codes). And, to give you a very approving nod, and glare unapprovingly at the under-dressed Patrons!

“JAMES ANDREW IS THE ULTIMATE DANDY”… “GATSBY-MEETS-GUCCI STYLE…”

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